What is the best laser eye surgery technology?
At VSON, we don’t think you should have to worry about the technology used to perform laser eye surgery.
This is because we believe it’s the responsibility of the provider (that’s us) to ensure that only the most advanced laser eye surgery technology is used to safely and accurately correct vision.
That said, we’re pretty fond of our laser treatments here at VSON. Not only because of the meaningful impact they can have on everyday life, but because we offer ultra-gentle, all-laser, touch-free procedures designed to support comfort, precision, and predictable recovery time.
Although you don’t need to understand every technical detail, having a general idea of how laser eye surgery works can be reassuring, especially if you’re researching whether treatment may be right for your eyes.
Laser technology has come a long way. Below, we explain how it has evolved and how modern systems are designed to help correct vision by reshaping the layer of the cornea responsible for focusing light.
For the best vision correction surgery in Brisbane, book an appointment at VSON today.
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A little LASIK history
After LASIK eye surgery was invented in 1990, it soon outpaced PRK laser eye surgery as the procedure of choice to reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
LASIK is the most popular laser eye surgery, and because of this, thousands of studies have been carried out analysing its safety and effectiveness to correct refractive errors including myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism.
Compared with PRK, LASIK generally offers faster visual recovery and a shorter recovery time, with many patients returning to everyday activities sooner. This makes it appealing for people with busy schedules or active lifestyles.
LASIK works by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser after creating a corneal flap. This allows the laser to access deeper corneal tissue while preserving surface structure.
1Urmc.rochester.edu. 2021. Frequently Asked Questions – LASIK – Flaum Eye Institute – University of Rochester Medical Center. [online] Available at: <https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute/lasik/faq.aspx#howaccurateisLASIK> [Accessed 10 June 2021].In fact, most of the LASIK performed in Brisbane today is microkeratome LASIK. However, some people are put off by a mechanical blade’s thought – no matter how precisely controlled – creating a flap in the corneal tissue.
SMILE as a minimally invasive option
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is another minimally invasive laser eye surgery correction most suitable for patients with myopia (short-sightedness), with or without astigmatism, dry eyes, thin corneas and were previously not suitable for laser eye surgery.
The SMILE procedure provides LASIK-like outcomes in a less invasive surgery. So, you can gain wonderful, unaided vision faster and easier than ever before. This makes it one of the latest laser eye surgery options available to patients today.
Want a touch-free procedure? We offer the only all-laser LASIK in all of Brisbane
To overcome these drawbacks, laser scientists found a way to use a femtosecond (ultra-fast) laser to make the flap, instead of a computer-controlled mechanical instrument.
SCHWIND calls this laser the Intralase Femto LASIK. It is minimally invasive, precise and gentle – and we use it here at VSON!
The key benefits of this method include:
- Maximum safety through intelligent eye-tracking
- High-precision
- Shorter healing process
- More corneal flap thickness
- Decreased risk of corneal abrasions during the procedure
- Decreased risk of astigmatism after refractive surgery
- Fantastic clinical results from the day after surgery
When it comes to combining patient comfort with precision and safety, we believe this represents the best vision correction surgery approach available today.
WHICH LASER EYE SURGERY IN BRISBANE TICKS YOUR BOXES?
Every type of laser eye treatment aims to achieve freedom from glasses, the only difference is eligibility and convenience
| Quality | SmartSight2https://crstodayeurope.com/articles/celebrating-the-magic-of-vision/atos-and-smartsight-current-trends-and-procedural-volume/ | LASIK3https://crstoday.com/articles/2014-jan/enhancing-the-speed-of-visual-recovery-after-lasik | TransPRK4https://www.eye-tech-solutions.com/transprk#:~:text=Unlike%20with%20conventional%20methods%20like,and%20gentle%20to%20the%20eye | PRK5https://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/prk/ |
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| Recovery time | Fastest (1 day) | Fast (1 day) | Less fast (3-4 days) | Least fast (5-7 days) |
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| Cost | Find out here | Find out here | Find out here | Find out here |
| Procedure | All laser treatment without a flap | All laser treatment | All laser treatment – no touch | Mainly laser treatment |
| Advantage |
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| History | Surgeons first performed lenticule extraction in 20079https://eandv.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40662-014-0003-1 | First performed 1991 | First performed 2007 | First performed 1987 |
| Learn more |
Unsuitable for LASIK? PRK could be the treatment for you
Before there was LASIK, there was PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy). PRK was first performed in the United States in 1987. It is the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction. Sometimes referred to as a “surface procedure”, it belongs to the family of early procedures used to reshape the cornea’s surface, such as LASEK and Epi-LASEK.
Traditionally, the laser eye surgeon removes the cornea’s thin outer layer (epithelium) through a process called alcohol debridement. The alcohol delaminates the corneal epithelium to leave a smooth surface after the surgeon slides it off with an instrument. Then, they use a laser to reshape the smooth corneal bed.
Most laser eye surgeons in Brisbane performing PRK use this traditional method. In contrast with LASIK – which is the most popular approach today – PRK has a longer recovery period. It can result in some discomfort for the patient during the healing process. With that said, the visual results after both PRK and LASIK are near identical.
Want a touch-free option? We offer the only all-laser PRK in all of Brisbane
At VSON, we use the TransPRK touch-free laser eye correction method. Unlike conventional methods like LASEK, Epi-LASIK and PRK, with TransPRK, the eye is not touched with any instrument. This touch-free procedure is non-invasive, safe, and gentle to the eye.
The key benefits of this method include:
- Touchless: no suction, no flap, no incision
- Safe: high corneal stability
- Fast: treatment in one step
- Short healing process
- Fantastic and long term clinical results
Want to see what you’ve been missing with laser eye surgery?
VSON is Brisbane’s newest laser eye surgery clinic located in Fortitude Valley on Ann Street.
Patients choose VSON because they have done their research and know all of their options. They can sit back and relax knowing that they are receiving the very best treatment for their refractive error with the most advanced technology available anywhere in Australia, let alone in Queensland.
To learn more about our procedures and how they can give you the freedom to do things you previously couldn’t, get a free laser assessment with one of our experts. It’s easy, just give us a call on 07 3188 6629 or book an appointment online.
Right now, you may not have enough information to know if laser eye surgery or another vision correction procedure is right for your eye condition. A great way to assess your suitability for vision correction is to take our online suitability test.
